Beauty, Style & Travel

Tip of the Day: How to Save on Makeup (Part 2)

July 5, 2016

Beauty shopping does not have to be expensive – all the time.

I wrote an article some years back on how you can save on makeup, and it’s right on the blog here. Nevertheless, I recently rediscovered this topic and found that many of us still do need some help when it comes to spending properly on beauty-related products and services. Here are 7 more tips you can bank on to help you ensure you spend smartly.

1. Skip the gelish.

Having everlasting unchipped nails is a thing of unicorn dreams. And just like dreams, perfect nails don’t last. But that doesn’t mean you need to get a gelish manicure every other month just so your nails always look their best. A single gelish session can set you back anywhere from $30 to $120, and if you have to get it done every 4 weeks or so, it will become a great cumulated expense. In addition, gelish is bad for your nails. If you really, really need to get gelish done, save it for special occasions like your best friend’s wedding.

2. DIY your brows.

Your brows can be difficult to manage, and that’s why I created this tutorial to help you with it. If you can do them on your own, you’ll save money going to the beautician every few weeks.

3. Don’t overlook drugstore beauty products.

Drugstore beauty products may be on the cheaper side, but that doesn’t mean they don’t work. A lot of drugstore brands are sister brands of larger, more high-end brands, so their formulations don’t differ too much (an example is YSL and L’Oreal). Furthermore, if you are a member of your local drugstore, you can also earn points and rebates, which will save you money in the long run.

Some drugstore products you need to check out are the Maybelline Fit Me Concealor (available on Drugstore.com here), or my Holy Grail Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara Super Waterproof (available on YesStyle here, with free international shipping).

4. Buy only what you need, whenever you need it.

Research has shown that when we buy more often, as opposed to when we buy at the last minute during a big trip to the store, we actually end up spending less. So if you find that going on a no-buy period doesn’t really help, then ditch that plan and just buy what you need, as and when you need it. Remember, the key word here is “need.”

5. Read reviews before committing to a purchase.

If you don’t already do this, you need to start now. Whenever you’re not sure if you should be spending your money to try out something new, you should always check out reviews first. I do this all the time, and I can’t be more grateful for the internet. You don’t need to be sitting in front of your computer for this. You can be right in front of the product – all you need to do is just whip out your phone and search away. 90% of the time, I end up not buying it. Goal achieved!

6. Stick to a low-maintenance hairstyle.

I cut my hair maybe twice or thrice a year at the place where hair cuts cost $12. When we were living in France some years back, Monsieur Ratatouille cut it for me using a pair of normal kitchen scissors and without much skill. While a cut like this may not be for everyone, you get the idea. A low-maintenance hairstyle will save you tons money on styling products, such as hair curlers or unnecessary hair sprays. Your wallet will thank you.

7. Have just a few signature looks.

Having a few looks that you always go back to is a great way to save you time when you need to dress up and head out. My usual look is a simple natural-looking one, where I don’t even use concealor. A more dressed up look just means having some smoky eye makeup and defined lips. I own all but one highlighting and contour palette, which is the Australis AC on Tour Contouring and Highlighting Kit in Light (available on Zalora here). Knowing what your signature looks are means you will only buy things that will contribute to them.

So many tempting options, but always stick to these tips above!

I hope these tips will help you to save on makeup. They really do help me, especially the one about reading product reviews before deciding if I need to get them. If you have any other tips, do share them in the comments section below.